UK IndyCar coverage

[TrapperJ]

Hello All,

Does anyone know the state of play in terms of Broadcast rights for the UK in 2011. I read that our usual broadcaster Sky Sports has yet to secure a deal for broadcasting this year. I know there's more UK guys on this board who'll be desperate to find out what the deal is. I've e-mailed Indycar so will post if i get anything back. In the meantime, if anyone on here can shed light on this it would be appreciated.

[Kedyson]

I know nothing about the situation in UK, but here in Czech Republic, there is no hope for TV coverage. AFAIK, Eurosport is out. There is one local channel which owns rights for IndyCar (they used to broadcast it till 2008), but they say it's "too expensive now". So the only hope for IndyCar fans here in central Europe is Race Control. On the other hand, I have to admit that quality of streaming improved a lot. I might even prefer RC, even I had a chance to watch IICS on TV

[Fro]

Bernard has mentioned this as an issue... I believe he's going to have IndyCar sell the events to individual networks in the future when the ESPN International deal expires and attempt to get in as many households worldwide as possible.

[Kedyson]

CART used to be huge on Eurosport during 90s. Always live coverage, no matter how long the race was, pre and post-season shows, it was one of Eurosport's highlights. Unfortunately, as the series became less relevant, it was moved to Eurosport 2 (2004?) and it finally disappeared in 2007 with no switch to IRL. As far as I remember, IRL had nearly no European coverage at all, ever. If Randy wants to regain some spectators in Europe (and there were millions of them, as more and more people here are disgusted with the "F1 way"), then Eurosport INDYCAR coverage is a MUST.

[indywulf]

Bad News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have rung Sky TV's Programming department and they have said that it is not scheduled for 2011 which means as things stand at the moment it will not be shown on Sky.

The coverage has in the past been excellent with in studio guests for every race so this is a major blow.

I hope that either Eurosport or Motors TV grab this! Please!!! Another option is the open access channel on satelite channel 190 that shows Nascar.

I can't understand why Sky TV have done, especially when the series is gaining momentum.

(With all negative sexist PR that sky TV is getting because of the Soccer presenters row with female referee it might be worth reminding them that this is one of the true sports where men and women can compete side by side)

[JM64]

I hear motors tv might be picking it up.

[TrapperJ]

Man i hope Motors TV does pick it up. Appalling decision by Sky. There loss in a way because it means they won't be getting an additional آ£10.00 a month from me for the sports channels from march to October.

[TrapperJ]

UPDATE:
Conflicting news - sent this question into Kevin Lee on Trackside 1070 the Fan (just listening to the podcast now) - and according to Broadcast people Kevin spoke to, it is still expected to be Sky for us in the UK... Guess we'll have to wait and see

[indywulf]

It would be great if back with Sky as they have done an excellent job.

(It has been announced that a new channel called Premier Sports on 433 is going to show Nascar, so you never know if Sky fail to take the opportunity there is at least another channel out there keen to show American based racing)

[indywulf]

Has anybody heard anything further?

TrapperJ did you hear back from Indycar?

I also emailed them ( twice) but have heard nothing.

This wait and see business is one thing but I am so looking forward to this season and then the momentum gets even more with Bourdais at Coyne and conway at AA.

COME ON INDYCAR/RANDY/SKY/MOTORS TV STOP THIS TENSION AND CONFIRM YOU HAVE THIS SORTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kedyson]

Great news for Indy fans in UK

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89330

[indywulf]

This is great news.

The coverage has been excellent in the past.

In HD too.

Well done to all concerned for getting this sorted.

[raskav]

UK IndyCar coverage

Good news for British Indy fans.

from Autosport http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89330

HD coverage for IndyCar in the UK
By Steven English

The IndyCar Series will be broadcast in high defintion in the UK for at least the next two seasons.

Sky Sports has announced a new deal with the series for live HD coverage of all 17 races this season, including the 100th Indianapolis 500 in May.

Keith Huewen will front Sky's coverage, with studio analysis from regular guest Johnny Mowlem.

"It's really exciting to have IndyCar back on our screens, especially in HD," Huewen said. "There is a lot of fantastic British talent in the sport at the moment, including current reigning champion Dario Franchitti.

"This year will be huge for IndyCar and to have the next two Indy 500s confirmed on Sky Sports really excites me - it's where the world's biggest motorsport event belongs."